Michael Jackson to AC/DC: cover bands wrap weekend in nostalgia

Here’s hoping no one who hits Nashville rock venues Exit/In, Mercy Lounge or Cannery Ballroom this weekend has their hearts set on taking in much original live music. The odds aren’t exactly in their favor.

On the other hand, if you’re ready to hear some of your favorite vintage hits — from “Billie Jean” to “Back in Black” — performed on stage, you’re in luck. Four top-notch tribute bands, two of which are Nashville-based, will kick out the jams on the Rock Block and Cannery Row Friday and Saturday. No matter your musical taste, you should be able to find something that will peel you away from your iPod to get your pop fix in person.

Who’s Bad: The ultimate Michael Jackson tribute band

For the past six years, this North Carolina-based group has aimed to re-create the sounds, spirit and moves of Michael Jackson, with a set that spans from “I Want You Back” to “Butterflies.”
Lead vocalist Joseph Bell can’t quite mimic Jackson’s singular high range (as if anyone could), but his delivery on subdued numbers like “Rock With You” is uncanny.

Demand for this band has soared since the King of Pop’s passing in June. They’ve gone international for the first time this year and will take their show to Asia and Europe in the coming months.

The Breakfast Club

This Atlanta-based band bills itself as “America’s Premier ’80s Cover Band.” They certainly got to the party early: They started performing synth-filled ’80s hits back in 1994, when grunge-y angst was at an all-time high in the pop world.

Since then, the band has performed for more than 2 million people (by their estimation), including “British royalty, movie stars, rock legends, some of the world’s top corporations.” The set covers all the expected bases, from “Don’t Stop Believin’” to “Sweet Dreams,” “Summer of ’69” and “Come On Eileen.”

9 p.m. Friday, Exit/In (2208 Elliston Place, 321-3340), $10.

Guilty Pleasures

Arguably Nashville’s best-known cover band and biggest club draw, Guilty Pleasures has specialized in cringe-worthy hits of the 1980s (with pinches of the ’70s and ’90s) since forming in 2001.

GP grew out of a series of cover nights founder Mike Grimes held at his former East Nashville club, Slow Bar. (Today, Grimes is co-owner of local record store Grimey’s New and Preloved Music and adjoining venue the Basement.)

Their clout should clue you in to the fact that they’re a cut above your average cover band: Some members have made a living backing up real hit-makers such as Michael McDonald, the Dixie Chicks and Meat Loaf.

9:30 p.m. Friday, Mercy Lounge (1 Cannery Row, 251-3020), $12.

The Long Players tackle AC/DC

You might not find another cover band in the country with the kind of credentials that local crew the Long Players boast. Their former bassist was Garry Tallent of the E-Street Band, and bandleader Bill Lloyd has been playing with power-pop veterans Cheap Trick.

Past that, there’s the band’s novel approach: At each show, the band tackles a different classic rock album from start to finish, with esteemed guest vocalists joining them on different songs.

This weekend, the band is taking on AC/DC’s Back in Black with vocal assistance from local pros including Dan Baird and Jonell Mosser.
9 p.m. Saturday, Mercy Lounge (1 Cannery Row, 251-3020), $15.